Society for Marine Mammalogy

The Society for Marine Mammalogy was founded in San Francisco, California, USA, on December 15, 1981, was incorporated in the State of California on February 17, 1989, and received 501(c)(3) non-profit entity under United States law on 27 March 1989.

The Society of Marine Mammalogy has the following standing committees: the Membership Committee, Committee of Scientific Advisors, Taxonomy Committee, Conference Committee, Scientific Program Committee, Education Committee, Awards and Scholarships Committee, Nominations/Election Committee, Board of Editors, International Relations Committee, Ethics Committee, Conservation Committee, and Student Affairs Committee.

Mission

The mission of the international Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) is to promote the global advancement of marine mammal science and contribute to its relevance and impact in education, conservation and management.

Objectives

• Evaluate and promote the educational, scientific and managerial advancement of marine mammal science.
• Gather and disseminate to members of the Society, the public and public and private institutions, scientific, technical and management information through publications and meetings.
• Provide scientific information, as required, on matters related to the conservation and management of marine mammal resources.

It has 2000+ members in this society which hail from 25 countries and range from beginning students of marine biology to the world’s leading experts in marine mammalogy.

The next major step for the Society after its formation in 1981 was the creation of a new journal devoted to the biology of marine mammals. Titles proposed included Journal of Marine Mammalogy, Marine Mammals, and others, but Marine Mammal Science won out. 

The Society has gone on to offer special funding opportunities for students and student researchers (details in other parts of this website); this fulfills the educational goals and the role of supporting new researchers envisioned by the Society’s founders.